06/10/2026
🪄Open 11 - 5. Once in a lifetime 1940's Kiviette couture tulle ball gown with swirling silk hand-applied butterflies and iridescent sequins and paillettes!
The bodice with sweetheart neckline has been draped, creating an asymmetrical grey shoulder wrap.
Inside, the boning has been fixed by hand, with plenty of hand finished couture details throughout.
Three layers of tulle are used to create an impossibly full and frothy skirt that transitions from pink to grey and has been adorned with countless large scale butterflies, hand cut and sewn and adorned with thousands of iridescent sequins and paillettes.
This breathtaking ball gown would make an exceptionally unique bridal dress, or a showstopper for any special occasion - red carpet or black tie event.
"Kiviette (given name Yetta Schminsky) was a leading Broadway costume designer from the late teens until the late 40s who created the costumes for at least 45 productions (including more than one featuring Fred and Adele Astaire).
Stylish New York City women had their dressmakers copy Kiviette’s stage designs (apparently this was the chief reason many of them attended Broadway shows!), and Kiviette created exclusive one off designs for high society women as well. In the 1930s she opened a ready-to-wear business that focused on evening gowns and sportswear, and participated through the 1940s in major NY-based fashion events like “Fashions of the Times” along with designers like Bonnie Cashin, Claire McCardell and Norman Norell." - The Vintage Fashion Guild.
Overall the dress is in excellent condition. There are a couple small breaks/tears to the tulle and a small repair at right underarm. Additional photos available.
This dress is exceedingly rare. Not only because of its larger size, garments by this designer are extremely unusual to come by, and the design on this particular piece is spectacular.
DM to claim.
Size Large, 2950 CAD
layaway available
Bust 44"
Waist 32-33"
Length (top of bust) 53"
Top of bust to waist 11"
